Merciful God, I don’t expect you to stop a speeding bullet
from killing one of your beloved in a church,
at a concert, a school, a theater or a battlefield.
I don’t expect you to stop a careening truck
from mowing down your beloved on bicycles
or strolling along a path among trees, flowers
and singing vendors.
I don’t expect you to perform miracles
or demand that you save the innocent
and absolve us of responsibility to do the same.
When miracles come, I’m grateful for the gift without absolution.
I do not ask for the laws of nature to be overturned,
while we break your law of love,
and refuse to do what is right in your sight.
I do ask you to pour out mercy – somehow – upon those who mourn,
that they would find a measure of consolation,
a balm for their wounded hearts,
arms to embrace them with love.
I believe you suffer with us and for us as one with us.
I do ask once more and again that from the carnage will rise courage,
that guns will no longer rule us as gods
and we will live as you would have us live
in the way of love, justice and righteousness.
Amen.
